Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Set Toward Jerusalem

Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:51-56 (Set Toward
Jerusalem)“When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go
to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a
village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; but the people would not
receive him, because his face was set
toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said,
"Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume
them?" But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another
village.”
Reflection:While the video below includes both today and tomorrows gospel. I will only
reflect upon what today is all about. Tolerance
of our enemies. Jesus not only offered friendship to those who did not like
Him; but He also asked for their hospitality as He entered their towns and
villages. The enemies we are speaking about are those who reject and ignore you
and wish to have nothing to do with you. In Jesus’ time a Jewish pilgrim would
never consider passing through Samaritan territory; they were common enemies,
they would be treated badly and even assaulted. How do you treat those who
treat you so rudely?

We all have people, friends and even family in our lives that want nothing to
do with us. How do you handle that? Doing nothing is fine, but are you at least
praying for them? God knows your heart and yes he knows their hearts to.
Kindness and no lashing out is best. There are many people who don’t like me
(us) and I don’t know why; but that’s ok, I don’t lose any more sleep than I
already do, I leave all the worry to Jesus. I consider everyone a child of God,
no matter what their faith is or what they believe and I believe in praying for
everyone, even those I don’t particularly like because of their choices and
viewpoints. I also don’t believe in judging anyone. Who am I to judge anyone? I
am of no authority to be another’s judge! I am certainly not holier than thou,
to be so ridiculous to think that I am. All judgment is left to God, not me.
All I do is love, forgive and do unto others as I hope they’d do unto me.

Jesus teaches us to love one another. NOT Judge one another! We must not forget
that! Too many people in this world spend too much time judging others. I don’t
care what your color, creed, religion or even your politics are; my prayers and
my love for you as a fellow child of God are all the same. If you are indeed
God’s Child (which you are) than my
job as a fellow sibling of the same Father; is to be praying that you to unite with
all of us in Heaven as God so wishes all of His children to do one day. Our
Father who art in Heaven, wants all of His Children to be with Him. In this
life God’s Will and God’s Plan for each of us to some degree is unknown; we
must trust that He will guide each of us and show each of us the way. So let us
not hinder others and judge others and lash out at others like we are God (because we are NOT). Let God open their
hearts, instead let us love them and pray for them and treat them with respect
and love the way Jesus would want us to. Our example is the best way to show
the way. Till we meet again tomorrow my friends.